Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Currently I'm having an issue whenever I try to use any recently saved assembly that has been converted from .step to .sldasm.
First, I download any step file with more than one part involved (let's just use the vexpro ball shifter as an example).

Then, I unzip the folder and open the model. It generates with no issues, and everything works great. I save everything in the model to a folder on my desktop, then completely exit my session of Solidworks. No problems yet.

This is where things get strange. I open a new session of Solidworks, and select the recently closed assembly file. The file opens, and suddenly every component in the assembly is permanently suppressed. I try unsuppressing each of the components but it simply doesn't work. I can access each individual piece of the assembly through the feature tree (as long as it's a .sldprt), but they won't display themselves in the assembly for some unknown reason.

When my cursor hovers over each suppressed part, solidworks says that "the file for this component cannot be located", even though when I open the part through the feature tree, it opens with no problems.

Has anyone else had this issue before? It's been happening to me every time I've tried to do this, including when I had Solidworks 2011 installed (I've since upgraded to 2012). If so, would you recommend any course of action?

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Hmm. I can't replicate the issue with the 3 Stage 60:24 with US Digital Encoder (STEP) (http://content.vexrobotics.com/cad/S...oder-STEP.zip).

One thing though, when you first save the model, make sure you explicitly tell SW to save all the parts at the same time. I'll keep trying to replicate the problem.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Actually, what program are you using to unzip the zip file? Just to cover every possible problem.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Are you able to locate the sldasm and sldprt files in Windows Explorer?

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

I used the windows-native "extract all" function. I also just tried using winrar and it didn't make a difference. Yes, I can find them in windows explorer as well.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Did you save the assembly in a different folder than the .step is in?

I get this error if I open the step somewhere, and save the assembly somewhere else.

When I move the .step into the folder I want the assembly to be saved in, then save there, it works fine for me.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Hmm. I'm not getting that issue. I'm wondering right now if there's a difference in our SW installations...

I can save the freshly converted assembly to anywhere and still open it without problems.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Adam, that might be my issue. I'll try it.

EDIT: Nope, no luck.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

So another possibility: the step file you're trying to convert is corrupt. Are you getting this with all of your step files, or is it one particular step file?

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Every single .step assembly that I try to save has this problem, from vexpro assemblies to entire robot assemblies.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Are the sldprt files in the same directory as the sldasm files?

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Limitation of the education version you are using???

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Likely not. I'm running SW 2012 Educational, without those problems.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Then check the security on the folder. Make sure it's not set to read only

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

OP's problem indicates SW isn't able to recognize that the sldprt files linked in the sldasm are part of the model. He says he's able to open them from the Feature Manager, which says SW knows which file is which, but the assembly view shows nothing, and all the parts are permanently suppressed, and saying that the original files can't be accessed. The files are all where they're supposed to be - sldasm and sldprt in the same directory. SW appears to be really confused about the sldprt files in the directory. To me, this says SW either has some really screwed up settings or the installation is corrupted, since this is common across multiple step files (so isn't limited to a single file being corrupted, unless every single step file he touches is corrupted, which is unlikely, yet possible).

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

I am having similar issues. But it's only when I try opening the step file. It doesn't appear, it goes through the normal converting/loading stuff, then just shows the axis, but the assembly never shows up. Though it doesn't happen for all assemblies or all parts. Main problem has been the Ball Shifter from Vex

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Could you link the specific STEP file(s)?

I suspect you have a somewhat different problem, since yours only crops up with a particular file. Initial guess is a broken STEP file. It may be a good idea to move this to a different thread, so as to not mask the OP's problem.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

The Ball Shifter. it's not the Step file because I go it to work in an older version of Solidworks. It;s the New version of solidworks I believe.

I don't need a new thread cause i just wanted to tell you I'm having a similar issue.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Same issue here, but it only happens with newer generated STEP files. I can open older ones just fine, but some new ones will load, and just disappear.

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

There is more and more evidence pointing to to either a bug in the SolidWorks converter or a settings issue.

For some reason, I can't replicate any of the problems on my machine (SW 2012 x64 EDU on Win7 x64 for Intel i7). Can someone attach the problematic step file, with the exact instructions (for each mouse click) as to how they got the problem?

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

I have the same Isue, I canot open the the specific STEP file of the Filed

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

http://team2495.com/CAD/FRC-Arena-2013.zip

Im having issues with the kit, I have it all imported but random components are just random sizes. (I have a retaining clip thats bigger then a cim motor)

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

If we are going to diagnose the problem, someone needs to do this. No one has the time to sit around trying to break SW, so someone who's already broken SW tell us how you broke SW so we can tell you how to unbreak it.

Do this as in

Re: Problems with converting .step assemblies
 

Thanks It is opend with SW